20 Must-See Holiday Attractions in Philadelphia for 2017

As temperatures drop in the history-rich, tradition-steeped city of Philadelphia, a festive holiday spirit spills from shops, theaters, restaurants, parks and stadiums.

This year promises the return of the city’s very own Christmas Village to LOVE Park. Every must-do holiday list includes visits to Macy’s Christmas Light Show, a spin around the skating rink and festive goings-on at Philadelphia City Hall, a seat at The Nutcracker and a spot on the sidewalk to watch the Mummers Parade.

See why the holidays are a great time to visit Philadelphia with our must-see holiday attractions, below.

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Dilworth Park Wintergarden and the Holidays at City Hall

CREDIT: Photo by Peter Tobia/Center City District

The heart of Center City is packed with holiday pop ups, including the brand-new, nightly KLIP Collective creation, Deck the Hall Light Show at Dilworth Park. The outdoor Rothman Institute Ice Rink & Rothman Institute Cabin offer ice skating, skate rentals, twinkling lights and indoor space to warm up and fill up on snacks, cocktails, beer and hot drinks, while America’s Garden Capital Maze is a living labyrinth of seasonal plants and lights. Philly’s official tree overlooks North Broad Street, as does Craft Hall, an indoor beer garden, bakery and barbecue featuring Lost Breads and smoked meats. Within the open-air courtyard, the carousel returns, along with the Hernhut stars-topped stalls of the Made In Philadelphia Holiday Market of independent local vendors.

Christmas Village in LOVE Park

November 23 - December 24, 2017

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

The German-style Christmas Village returns to a restored JFK Plaza, also known as LOVE Park. For the 10th year, 80 wooden booths of local and international merchants display and sell Käthe Wohlfahrt trimmings, wintry apparel, handmade toys and all manner of edible and drinkable treats, while entertainment keeps things festive. The LOVE sculpture makes its triumphant return in February 2018.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

November 24, 2017 - March 4, 2018

CREDIT: Photo courtesy Matt Stanley for the DRWC

The popular Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest returns for year five with fire pits; a Kids Lodge arcade; a cozy, chalet-style Lodge Restaurant and Bar; 12 nights of Christmas movies; sweets from Franklin Fountain Confectionery Cabin; and hearty fare from Garces Group and Chickie’s & Pete’s — all centered around a regulation skating rink with a spectacular view of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Christmas Light Show at Macy's Center City

November 24 - December 31, 2017

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

The Grand Court in the National Historic Landmark Wanamaker Building has hosted a Christmas Light Show since 1956. The department store revives the tradition of sugarplum fairies, dancing snowmen and more with a 100,000-light show narrated by Julie Andrews and accompanied by the famed Wanamaker Organ. Free performances take place every two hours during store hours. Between shows, visitors often tour the second floor’s vintage Dickens Village, setup of animated dolls retelling A Christmas Carol; each free walkthrough ends in a chance to meet and get photos with the real Santa.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular

November 23, 2017 - January 1, 2018

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

A massive, street-level, high-resolution LED display shows The Comcast Holiday Spectacular, 15-minute features of dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet and a magical sleigh soaring through Philadelphia’s skyscape.

The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show makes this historic square twinkle, with free shows every 30 minutes between 4 and 8 p.m. on weeknights and 4 and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Among the 50,000 bulbs set to music is a giant, illuminated kite. Other festivities include Saturdays with Santa; rides on the holiday train and carousel; comfort foods, local beer and hot beverages; and mini-golf.

SugarHouse New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront

December 31, 2017

CREDIT: M. Stanley for DRWC

The SugarHouse Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks features two major pyrotechnics displays over the Delaware River — one at 6 p.m. and another at midnight. The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest gets in on the action too with entertainment, favors, outdoor seating and great views of the fireworks.

Neighborhood Lights in South Philadelphia

Ongoing

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

A testament to South Philly’s neighborhood spirit, this one-block stretch of lighted row houses — affectionately known as Miracle on 13th Street — has become a national sensation. Each home features different decorations; lights and signs span the street.

Pennsylvania Ballet Presents George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

December 8-31, 2017 (select dates)

CREDIT: Pennsylvania Ballet

The Pennsylvania Ballet returns to the grand Academy of Music for an elegant (yet kid-friendly) Philadelphia dance tradition. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score pairs with lavish sets, lavish costumes and enchanting performances — by the dancers, members of the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra and Philadelphia Boys Choir. This year’s sensory-friendly performance takes place December 27.

Christmas in Fairmount Park

November 30-December 31, 2017 (select dates)

CREDIT: Photo courtesy Fairmount Park Conservancy

Five decked-out 18th- and 19th-century park mansions — Historic Strawberry Mansion, Cedar Grove, Laurel Hill, Lemon Hill and Woodford — open their doors for holiday treats and performances during A Very Philly Christmas, a cooperative program of Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Throughout the month-long open house, themed events include “Sounds of the Season,” including a premiere by Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra at Woodford Mansion (December 2), Family Day (December 3), Neighbor’s Day (December 9) and Flavors of the Season (December 10).

Holidays at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

November 22, 2017 - January 1, 2018 (select dates)

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

All throughout the season, the Philadelphia Museum of Art hosts events and activities in celebration of the holidays. From a tree lighting celebration on the East Terrace to a DIY card-making night to festive Friday night performances complete with spiked hot cocoa and other seasonal treats, a wealth of festivities invite you to make the museum part of your holiday traditions. Click the button below to check out all of the scheduled events.

Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad at Reading Terminal Market

November 24, 2017 – December 24, 2017

CREDIT: Photo courtesy Reading Terminal Market

Every holiday season, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia’s indoor haven for all things food, sets up an impressive holiday railroad display. This year's all-new display features five magical interactive model train vignettes celebrating the history of the Reading Terminal Market, the Reading Railroad and the joys of the holiday season.

A Very Philadelphia Holiday at One Liberty Observation Deck

A Very Philadelphia Holiday transforms the 360-degree platform at the top of the skyscraper to honor three great local traditions. The Mummers, the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Miracle on 13th Street each display costumes and decorations in a quadrant of the attraction—and combine their festive forces near the giant replica of Benjamin Franklin’s head.

Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration

Camden, New Jersey

December 1-30, 2017

CREDIT: Courtesy G. Mattie of Adventure Aquarium

Marvel at the world's tallest underwater Christmas tree, which makes its debut at Adventure Aquarium this year. The 18-foot-tall tree, part of the attraction's Shark Realm, will be illuminated for the first time on Friday, December 1 and will be on display through December 30. Alongside thousands of twinkling lights and colorful shells and coral, visitors will get the chance to see Scuba Santa and his "elfish" helpers swimming beneath the surface and celebrating the season.

Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm

Morrisville, Bucks County

November 18, 2017 - January 7, 2018

More than three million lights comprise this big, bright Bucks County spectacle that is Shady Brook’s annual Holiday Light Show. Visitors can drive or, if weather permits, ride in wagons through illuminated tunnels and past celebratory nighttime displays. Afterwards, there are visits with Santa, cocoa by the bonfire and holiday shopping.

SugarHouse Casino Mummers Parade

January 1, 2018

CREDIT: M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia

This only-in-Philadelphia New Year’s Day tradition dates back to 1901 and today includes thousands of men, women and children wearing feathers and sequins while dancing to music and parading along Broad Street from Philadelphia City Hall, site of competition among the Comic, Comic Wench and String Band divisions, to Washington Avenue. The indoor Fancy Brigade Finale competition at the Pennsylvania Convention Center consists of Broadway-inspired music-and-dance routines for prizes and bragging rights. phillymummers.com. Tickets for bleacher seating at City Hall and for the Fancy Brigades are available at the Independence Visitor Center.

Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thursday, November 23, 2017

CREDIT: J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia

The nation’s oldest parade — now a spry 98 — kicks off the holidays on Thursday, November 23, 2017. The annual event features collegiate marching bands, performances by Walt Disney World characters, giant balloons, floats and, at the end of it all, the Clauses accompanied by postal workers collecting letters to Santa.